In her Aug. 7 letter, Carrie Logan urges a yes vote on the Aug. 30 vote for the $55 million, six-year school facilities levy. The huge levy is for tear-down and construction of three new LPOSD buildings, remodels, add-ons, athletic fields, and more.

She failed to mention that she, as well as her son, the LPOSD facilities director, were part of the handpicked facilities committee that worked to make this levy happen.

Assembled by LPOSD Superintendent Shawn Woodward, the committee was described as a “cross-section of the community” but consisted overwhelmingly of individuals associated with LPOSD, including two school board members. It essentially rubber-stamped the report of consultants hired a year ago, without public knowledge or input, who conducted a $30,000 facilities review. Unsurprisingly, the board unanimously approved it. (So the two board members approved their own recommendations.) This outcome was clearly sought from the beginning and just needed to be given the patina of review and discussion.

Logan says her enthusiastic yes vote for this levy is based on the fact that research shows improved student preparedness results when learning takes place in improved facilities. This happens to echo the justification given by the consultants and the superintendent, although they differ on the percentage of student improvement. (They agree that it’s in the single digits, though.) No studies have been cited to back up their claims.

Logan, it seems, is simply part of the machine that makes levies happen in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

KATHLEEN CLAYTON

Sagle